Microsoft touts early feedback on Bing

Microsoft has praised its freshly-launched Bing online search engine and said it is taking a long-term approach in its quest to break from third place behind Yahoo! and Google.

The number of people that used Bing in June for online searches was eight per cent higher than the number that used its predecessor, MSN Live, in the same month last year, according to Microsoft.

Meanwhile, figures released in recent weeks by industry analytics firms reveal mixed data, leaving it unclear whether Bing is doing much to close the gaps with Yahoo! and internet search king Google.

California-based Google's regal share of the US online search market was approximately 74 per cent, stats from Compete indicate.

Yahoo! remains the second most popular search engine with about 16 per cent of the US market, and Bing is third with 6.5 per cent, according to Compete.

Other internet-tracking firms report different figures, with the ranking remaining constant but conflicts emerging as to whether Bing is gaining, holding, or losing ground.

"It's really too early to tell how Bing is doing; the numbers are really mixed," said Danny Sullivan, editor-in-chief at SearchEngineLand.com, a website devoted to developments in the industry.

"Microsoft does deserve to pat itself on its back a bit. They do seem to have had some lift but it is not an extraordinary amount. An increase in visitors is not surprising given the marketing they are doing."

Microsoft is reportedly spending $US80 to $US100 million ($102-127 million) marketing Bing but has not publicly disclosed its promotional budget.

"We're gratified to report that there has been some great interest in trying out Bing and that those experiences are yielding positive results," Microsoft senior vice president of Online Audience Business Group Yusuf Mehdi said in an online posting.

"It's been a busy month, but we're just getting started. We have a long term view, and we are committed to steady progress over the years to come."

June is the first full month the Bing "decision engine" has been live.

Microsoft said Bing is aimed at online shoppers and will initially focus on helping people make buying decisions, plan trips, research health matters, or find local businesses.

For example, people using Bing to shop online will automatically be provided product reviews, and those planning trips will get information regarding travel bargains.